A Thali Inspired by the Seven Wonders of the World
As a team of six, we came up with a creative and meaningful concept to showcase unity and diversity through food. Our idea revolved around creating a unique thali that would not only celebrate the diverse flavors of Indian cuisine but also symbolize the spirit of collaboration and teamwork. Inspired by the Seven Wonders of the World, we envisioned a thali comprising seven dishes, each with its own story and significance.
The idea was for each of us to prepare one dish representing a different state of India. Each dish would highlight the cultural and culinary richness of that state, showcasing its unique flavors and ingredients. This way, our thali would be a celebration of India’s diversity, much like how the Seven Wonders represent the beauty and ingenuity of different cultures around the globe.
The most special part of our plan was the seventh dish, which we intended to prepare together as a team. This dish would serve as a symbol of unity, reflecting how individual efforts can come together to create something extraordinary. Just as the Seven Wonders of the World stand as a testament to human creativity and collaboration, our thali would embody the same spirit—unity in diversity.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t bring this idea to life in our training kitchen due to time and resource constraints. However, the thought itself was inspiring and taught us the value of teamwork and the importance of creativity in culinary arts. This concept also made us appreciate how food can be a medium to convey powerful messages.
Although the project remained an idea, it sparked conversations about how food transcends borders and reflects stories of collaboration, culture, and unity. We hope to revisit this idea someday and bring it to life, showcasing not just the flavors of our dishes but also the essence of teamwork and togetherness.
This experience has reinforced the belief that cooking is not just about making food; it’s about creating connections, celebrating diversity, and working together to achieve something meaningful.
As the representative of my group, I, Lakshaya, decided to contribute a refreshing Raw Mango Salad, a vibrant dish from the state of Kerala. The idea behind this dish was to showcase the simplicity and bold flavors of Kerala’s cuisine, which is known for its fresh ingredients and harmonious use of spices.
This Raw Mango Salad was my way of representing Kerala’s refreshing flavors in our thali. Although we couldn’t prepare our concept of seven dishes symbolizing the Seven Wonders of the World in our training kitchen, this dish exemplifies the simplicity, freshness, and unity we aimed to showcase.
Food, after all, is not just about taste—it’s about bringing people together and celebrating diversity on a single plate.
The second wonder was to prepare a dish,to elevate your usual paneer recipes with a twist of fresh, aromatic flavor, then basil paneer is an excellent choice! Combining the richness of paneer with the freshness of basil creates a blend of flavors that will delight your taste buds. Whether you're planning for a weeknight dinner, a special occasion, or just want to try something new, basil paneer is a dish for you.
Basil is widely known for its fresh and peppery flavor, commonly used in Italian cuisine. But when combined with paneer, it creates a unique fusion , mild taste of Indian cottage cheese with the boldness of herbs. This dish offers a fresh, light flavor profile that is perfect for those looking to try something.
Firstly I was thinking of soaking the cheese in warm water for about 15 minutes to soften it. After soaking, cut the paneer into cubes and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and sauté until it becomes fragrant for about 30 seconds. Than add the chopped onion and cook until golden and soft. This will form the flavor base for the dish. I feel like by Sprinkling some coriander powder, cumin powder, black pepper, and salt it would enhance the flavors and add the chopped basil leaves. Cook it for about 20mins go allow the basil flavor mix with the mixture. Than finally add the cooked paneer.
There you get your delicious Basil Paneer!Enjoy!
The Third wonder was all about an Indian Chaat that has always been a staple in my diet from panipuri to dahi puri and my second favorite papdi chaat . Unfortunately for it, panipuri has my heart. So back to the dear old papdi chaat, its history is a mystery to many. No one knows when exactly or where it came into existence but people believe its birth is the City of chaats Delhi. I wanted to attempt making it using various ingredients at my disposal. Papdi Chaat is a dish rich in sweet, tangy, spicy and fresh flavours due its various components like Tamarind chutney, Green chutney, dahi and the best part the crunchy papdis. These four ingredients make up the body of the dish . To add the freshness, papdi chaat is often topped with freshly chopped onion , coriander, and pomegranate. All these flavours together feels as though your taste buds are having their own little party and therefore I believe papdi chaat is one of India's greatest inventions.
The Fifth Wonder,Kokum drink, also known as "kokum sherbet," is a traditional beverage from the Indian state of Goa. This refreshing drink is made from the fruit of the kokum tree (Garcinia indica), which is native to the Western Ghats region. The fruit is small, dark purple, and has a sweet-tart flavor. Kokum has been used for centuries in Goan cuisine, both as a flavoring agent and as a medicinal ingredient. The drink is often prepared during festive occasions and family gatherings.It represents the warm and welcoming nature of the Goan people. The drink is often served chilled, providing a refreshing welcome to visitors. It is consumed for its cooling properties during the hot summer months. It is believed to aid digestion, reduce acidity, and act as an antioxidant.
The sixth wonder was all about to make a Dessert, But I was so confused about which state’s dessert to choose and I initially thought of preparing misti doi. I absolutely love Bengali sweets, and since I’ve tried making misti doi several times before, I thought it would be easy to make. But then I realized that Misti Doi takes quite a long time to set, and we won’t have that much time. So, I decided to change my plan and make Ghevar from Rajasthan. I’ve never tried making Ghevar before, so I was excited about the idea. It felt like a great opportunity to experiment and challenge myself. Making Ghevar can be quite challenging because the procedure is lengthy and requires precise quantities. To better understand the process, I looked up for recipes and watched a few videos for guidance. I thought that if I successfully make Ghevar and it turns out well, I could share it with our professor, teachers, and chefs as a token of appreciation.
As a team, we envisioned a thali representing the Seven Wonders of the World through seven diverse dishes, each highlighting the richness of Indian cuisine. Despite not being able to execute it in our training kitchen, the experience of brainstorming and planning together was incredibly rewarding. Preparing Naan with Vegetable Kurma as our unifying dish symbolized the beauty of teamwork and collaboration. This idea taught us that food is not just about flavors but also about coming together to create something meaningful. We look forward to bringing such creative concepts to life in the future, celebrating unity and diversity through our culinary skills.
The Naan with Vegetable Kurma became the star of our thali, symbolizing the harmony of our ideas and efforts. Although we couldn’t execute this in our training kitchen, the concept of working together to create a dish that unites us, much like the Seven Wonders of the World, remains a powerful and inspiring experience.
Thank You!
Group 6 The Resolvers
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